What are your overall experiences working as a substitute teacher within FCPS

[Anonymous]

+1 to the above posts. FCPS has been coasting on its once excellent reputation. They have burned so many bridges and taken teachers (and subs) for granted… I wonder what will become of this school system. My youngest just graduated, so thankfully we won’t have to deal with this nonsense anymore. However, I feel for all the kids still stuck. I hope the SB is voted out and some actual sanity and common sense voted back in.

[Anonymous]

Off to an impressive start! After filling out myriad on line forms, sending transcripts, and getting references sent, I followed their instructions to call to schedule a sub orientation. A specific phone number was given.
After 40 minutes on hold, I hung up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Off to an impressive start! After filling out myriad on line forms, sending transcripts, and getting references sent, I followed their instructions to call to schedule a sub orientation. A specific phone number was given.
After 40 minutes on hold, I hung up.

This is what happens when a school system stops paying attention to the basics. We've seen this across the board with FCPS in recent years.

We absolutely have to find some new School Board members who are (1) going to focus on basic operations, not the political cause of the hour or their personal pet projects; and (2) ready to buy out Dr. Reid's contract and find someone who does more than spout banal slogans about how "all things are possible" and instead knows how to manage a large school system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If a sub is onsite and cancelled, are they paid for the minimum three hours?

Any suggestions for someone who might try this?

Know your boundaries and stick to them. FCPS takes full advantage of all they employ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Off to an impressive start! After filling out myriad on line forms, sending transcripts, and getting references sent, I followed their instructions to call to schedule a sub orientation. A specific phone number was given.
After 40 minutes on hold, I hung up.

and that's only the beginning wait for fingerprint scheduling and beyond....you may be completed by October

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Off to an impressive start! After filling out myriad on line forms, sending transcripts, and getting references sent, I followed their instructions to call to schedule a sub orientation. A specific phone number was given.
After 40 minutes on hold, I hung up.

This is what happens when a school system stops paying attention to the basics. We've seen this across the board with FCPS in recent years.

We absolutely have to find some new School Board members who are (1) going to focus on basic operations, not the political cause of the hour or their personal pet projects; and (2) ready to buy out Dr. Reid's contract and find someone who does more than spout banal slogans about how "all things are possible" and instead knows how to manage a large school system.

Honestly this crap show has been going on long before her....she's not helping but I don't even know who will be able to make true and needed change at this point.

[Anonymous]

I haven't called the phone number yet. Does anyone have any interesting stories to share from subbing that we might not otherwise think of?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I haven't called the phone number yet. Does anyone have any interesting stories to share from subbing that we might not otherwise think of?

Keep in mind that you can select which grade levels and subjects you want. If you don't want to sub for kindergarten or art, don't check those off on your online profile. Sub coordinators can't override those selections, either. They cannot pluck you out of 4th grade and into music if you haven't selected music as a subject you want. This is one way to prevent the bait and switch that happens at many schools.

Another thing to remember is that long term jobs are rarely worth it financially. Don't take one unless you've taught the subject previously and are well acquainted with the material because you will be overworked and severely underpaid. This is true even if you're part of a great, supportive team with wonderful admin.

Finally, subs have been underpaid pretty much forever in FCPS. Retired teachers used to have a reasonable wage before Garza did away with that, and it's still not back up to where it should be. They are now paying $45 per hour for tutors who can commit to 12 hours per week which will definitely not increase the sub pool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven't called the phone number yet. Does anyone have any interesting stories to share from subbing that we might not otherwise think of?

Keep in mind that you can select which grade levels and subjects you want. If you don't want to sub for kindergarten or art, don't check those off on your online profile. Sub coordinators can't override those selections, either. They cannot pluck you out of 4th grade and into music if you haven't selected music as a subject you want. This is one way to prevent the bait and switch that happens at many schools.

Another thing to remember is that long term jobs are rarely worth it financially. Don't take one unless you've taught the subject previously and are well acquainted with the material because you will be overworked and severely underpaid. This is true even if you're part of a great, supportive team with wonderful admin.

Finally, subs have been underpaid pretty much forever in FCPS. Retired teachers used to have a reasonable wage before Garza did away with that, and it's still not back up to where it should be. They are now paying $45 per hour for tutors who can commit to 12 hours per week which will definitely not increase the sub pool.

What kind of tutoring is this ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven't called the phone number yet. Does anyone have any interesting stories to share from subbing that we might not otherwise think of?

Keep in mind that you can select which grade levels and subjects you want. If you don't want to sub for kindergarten or art, don't check those off on your online profile. Sub coordinators can't override those selections, either. They cannot pluck you out of 4th grade and into music if you haven't selected music as a subject you want. This is one way to prevent the bait and switch that happens at many schools.

Another thing to remember is that long term jobs are rarely worth it financially. Don't take one unless you've taught the subject previously and are well acquainted with the material because you will be overworked and severely underpaid. This is true even if you're part of a great, supportive team with wonderful admin.

Finally, subs have been underpaid pretty much forever in FCPS. Retired teachers used to have a reasonable wage before Garza did away with that, and it's still not back up to where it should be. They are now paying $45 per hour for tutors who can commit to 12 hours per week which will definitely not increase the sub pool.

I just retired and I'm thinking about subbing. Do you have a link to the tutoring info?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Off to an impressive start! After filling out myriad on line forms, sending transcripts, and getting references sent, I followed their instructions to call to schedule a sub orientation. A specific phone number was given.
After 40 minutes on hold, I hung up.

This is what happens when a school system stops paying attention to the basics. We've seen this across the board with FCPS in recent years.

We absolutely have to find some new School Board members who are (1) going to focus on basic operations, not the political cause of the hour or their personal pet projects; and (2) ready to buy out Dr. Reid's contract and find someone who does more than spout banal slogans about how "all things are possible" and instead knows how to manage a large school system.

Honestly this crap show has been going on long before her....she's not helping but I don't even know who will be able to make true and needed change at this point.

Someone whose focus is not seeing everything through "an equity lens". Someone who insists on improving ACADEMICS for ALL students. Someone who is brave enough to say enough of this BS virtue signaling, it's time to repair this school system by returning to the basics, for everyone. Social issues do not belong in school, period. I don't think that person exists, unfortunately.
DP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven't called the phone number yet. Does anyone have any interesting stories to share from subbing that we might not otherwise think of?

Keep in mind that you can select which grade levels and subjects you want. If you don't want to sub for kindergarten or art, don't check those off on your online profile. Sub coordinators can't override those selections, either. They cannot pluck you out of 4th grade and into music if you haven't selected music as a subject you want. This is one way to prevent the bait and switch that happens at many schools.

Another thing to remember is that long term jobs are rarely worth it financially. Don't take one unless you've taught the subject previously and are well acquainted with the material because you will be overworked and severely underpaid. This is true even if you're part of a great, supportive team with wonderful admin.

Finally, subs have been underpaid pretty much forever in FCPS. Retired teachers used to have a reasonable wage before Garza did away with that, and it's still not back up to where it should be. They are now paying $45 per hour for tutors who can commit to 12 hours per week which will definitely not increase the sub pool.

I just retired and I'm thinking about subbing. Do you have a link to the tutoring info?

Emails go out every few months to staff for the past year. Contact [e-mail]. It’s before and after school tutoring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven't called the phone number yet. Does anyone have any interesting stories to share from subbing that we might not otherwise think of?

Keep in mind that you can select which grade levels and subjects you want. If you don't want to sub for kindergarten or art, don't check those off on your online profile. Sub coordinators can't override those selections, either. They cannot pluck you out of 4th grade and into music if you haven't selected music as a subject you want. This is one way to prevent the bait and switch that happens at many schools.

Another thing to remember is that long term jobs are rarely worth it financially. Don't take one unless you've taught the subject previously and are well acquainted with the material because you will be overworked and severely underpaid. This is true even if you're part of a great, supportive team with wonderful admin.

Finally, subs have been underpaid pretty much forever in FCPS. Retired teachers used to have a reasonable wage before Garza did away with that, and it's still not back up to where it should be. They are now paying $45 per hour for tutors who can commit to 12 hours per week which will definitely not increase the sub pool.

They absolutely can and do "pluck" you out of the 4th grade sub assignment you accepted and into music if that's where they say the need is after you report. Now you definitely don't have to accept that bait and switch but it does happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here. It is important as a sub to let the principals know if you are struggling with a certain kid or class. They can help, if you let them know. They are desperate for subs, so they want you to return. See if you can be specific about what is difficult. Is it lack of lesson plans, or classroom management? Other teachers in the grade will likely help out if you ask. You could only take pre-arranged sub jobs, so you know there will be plans and always ask for an educational movie to be left, just in case.

If you have a particularly troublesome student, they can move that child to another class for the day, but you have to tell them.

I would be liberal with praise and tell kids if they finish all the work for the lesson, they can tell appropriate jokes or have free drawing time.

Can a sub show a movie without a computer?

Subs are given a computer.

I've only been given a computer once when subbing in Elementary school (and wasn't even given a charger, had to find the teacher's that was fortunately there). I usually brought my own (it was easier to write end of the day email reports to the teachers that way) and finally figured out the various SmartBoards and links for the daily news (high school). A few times teachers left me their computers to use when we had pre-coordinated the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here. It is important as a sub to let the principals know if you are struggling with a certain kid or class. They can help, if you let them know. They are desperate for subs, so they want you to return. See if you can be specific about what is difficult. Is it lack of lesson plans, or classroom management? Other teachers in the grade will likely help out if you ask. You could only take pre-arranged sub jobs, so you know there will be plans and always ask for an educational movie to be left, just in case.

If you have a particularly troublesome student, they can move that child to another class for the day, but you have to tell them.

I would be liberal with praise and tell kids if they finish all the work for the lesson, they can tell appropriate jokes or have free drawing time.

Can a sub show a movie without a computer?

Subs are given a computer.

I've only been given a computer once when subbing in Elementary school (and wasn't even given a charger, had to find the teacher's that was fortunately there). I usually brought my own (it was easier to write end of the day email reports to the teachers that way) and finally figured out the various SmartBoards and links for the daily news (high school). A few times teachers left me their computers to use when we had pre-coordinated the day.

My advice....don't do it.